Stephanie Stuckey

Chair of Stuckey's

Stephanie Stuckey

Chair of Stuckey's

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Biography

Stephanie Stuckey is the Chair of Stuckey’s, the roadside oasis famous for its pecan log rolls. The company was founded by Stephanie’s grandfather, W.S. Stuckey, Sr., as a pecan stand in Eastman, GA in 1937 and grew to over 350 stores across the country. The company was sold in 1964 but is now back in family hands and making a comeback.

Stephanie took over the company in November of 2019 and, under her leadership, Stuckey’s has purchased a pecan-shelling and candy-manufacturing facility in Wrens, GA, revamped its distribution operations based in Eastman, GA, acquired a healthy pecan-snack company, rebranded its products and website, added four new franchised stores, expanded its B2B retail customer base, and increased online sales 550% — all while weathering the COVID-19 pandemic.

Stephanie received both her undergraduate and law degrees from the University of Georgia. She has worked as a trial lawyer, was elected to seven terms as a state representative, ran an environmental nonprofit law firm that settled the largest Clean Water Act case in Georgia history, served as Director of Sustainability and Resilience for the City of Atlanta, and taught as an Adjunct Professor at the University of Georgia School of Law. Stephanie’s achievements include being named one of the 100 Most Influential Georgians by Georgia Trend Magazine, as well as graduating from Leadership Atlanta. A longstanding member of Glenn Memorial United Methodist Church, she is active in her community and serves on many nonprofit boards, including the Initiative for Affordable Housing, EarthShare of Georgia, and her local zoning review board.

Speaker Videos

Professional Women's Conference: The Great American Comeback with Stephanie Stuckey

Stephanie Stuckey's Hot Takes on Americana, Leadership, and Small Businesses

Take A Trip Down Memory Lane At Stuckey’s Roadside Shop

Stephanie Stuckey, CEO, Stuckey's Corporation

Branding & the Road Trip

The Accidental CEO

Climate & Health

On Leadership

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Speech Topics

Getting UnStuck

Whether it’s reviving a nostalgic brand like Stuckey’s or reinventing your business or your personal brand, Stephanie will share stories from her upcoming memoir, UnStuck: Revival of an American Icon, that will provide insights and tips to anyone looking to add new energy to their lives. Stephanie had no entrepreneurial experience prior to taking over her family's business and saving it from ruin. How does she do it? She embraces her weaknesses as opportunities to learn, and she celebrates her strengths. She treats every day as an adventure in which the unexpected is likely to happen. And she gets up at 5 a.m. every morning and follows her grandfather's and father's ideals: Work hard, be fair, and have fun.

The Business of Reinvention: How Entrepreneurship & Innovation are Reviving an 87-Year Old Brand

Reinventing a nostalgic brand for a new generation requires thinking and acting like an entrepreneur every step of the way. With no prior entrepreneurial experience but plenty of creativity and a knack for storytelling, Stephanie has redefined the traditional role of a business leader. She’ll share how embracing an entrepreneurial mindset has allowed her to see Stuckey’s in a new way, breathing fresh excitement into the brand.

From rolling up her sleeves to solve problems, accessing capital, building a team, managing a complex supply chain, and wearing all the hats that startup leaders must juggle, Stephanie will discuss how innovation, resourcefulness, and storytelling have been at the heart of Stuckey’s comeback. This talk is an inspiring look at the intersection of business, creativity, and entrepreneurship.

Looking Back to Move Forward

Stephanie's grandfather built Stuckey's into an empire — a roadside oasis that redefined America. How did he do it? What lessons can we learn from W.S. Stuckey that can be applied today? Stephanie finds wisdom in the past to define her future and how she runs Stuckey's.

It Takes Creativity

With no entrepreneurial experience, but plenty of creativity and a knack for telling a good story, Stephanie redefined the traditional template of the CEO. She'll talk about embracing her inner creative to see Stuckey's in a different way — one that is leading to renewed excitement about the brand.

From Eco-Warrior to CEO

Stephanie shares her journey of transitioning from an environmental advocate (7 term state legislator and former Director of Sustainability for the City of Atlanta) to running her family’s roadside business and candy plant. Hear stories about having to pivot from being a green advocate to managing a manufacturing operation, all while trying to be profitable and true to her values of protecting our environment.

Testimonials

"We need to understand how to clone her!!!!! She made a HUGE impression on the large number of top execs who were there! The story of her company's journey, the foundational aspects at its core, her approach to restoring it to greatness...so much more. She inspired all of us and gave us deep thinking that should be applied to every company. It was truly an executive to executive presentation on the things that really matter. Having her new book there was a hit! The pecan logs were as well. Everyone will always remember this presentation and will smile when thinking back to it regarding their experience. She was and is absolutely AMAZING!!!!!!!"

- President and CEO, Resilient Floor Covering Institute (RFCI)

"As our keynote speaker we appreciate you sharing your time, knowledge, and experience with our attendees. The conversation was engaging, insightful and spot on, yielding many valuable takeaways. We’re excited about the opportunity to collaborate with you again in the future."

- ICSC